VCU study focuses on college, school campus safety

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Richmond, Va. (WTVR)- As the nation focuses on the safety of students at schools and universities, a Virginia Commonwealth University study sheds light on how Virginians feel about the security of college campuses.

The study, by VCU’s Center for Public Policy, found that 80 percent of Virginians believe the Commonwealth's college and university campuses are very or somewhat safe. Only 16 percent said they were not very or not at all safe.

In a separate question, 41 percent of Virginians said the issue of campus safety would affect the decision of where to attend college a great deal.

Out of the parents of primary or secondary school students, 52 percent said it would impact the decision a great deal.

When asked whether colleges can take steps to improve safety, 62 percent of those with a child in college said no, but only about half of parents of younger children said nothing could be done.